During 2004, information emerged that Khamphouvieng Sisaath had died in custody in September 2001 as a result of punishment inflicted by prison guards. He had been among five members of the Lao Students' Movement for Democracy arrested after attempting to hold a peaceful demonstration in Vientiane in October 1999.
He was reported to have been tied spread-eagle to a post in the prison grounds and left there for several hours in the hot sun. He died from heat exhaustion. The other confirmed members of the group, Thongpaseuth Keuakoun and Seng-Aloun Phengphanh, remained in Samkhe prison, where they were serving sentences for treason.
Listen to our Amesty-Laos Human Rights report for details.